Two Bombs Smuggled At Edinburgh Airport

November 10, 2003

Two Bombs Smuggled At Airport
Staff fail terrorist tests

Glasgow Daily Record, UK

SECURITY staff failed to spot two ``bombs'' being smuggled through
Edinburgh Airport in a hush-hush Government test.

A major probe has now been launched to find out why they were not detected.

And a source at the airport said last night: ``This was a serious breach
of security. People will be dragged over the coals.''

Undercover officers from the Department of Transport staged the test of
security last month.

Devices were hidden inside a laptop computer and a hairdryer and put into
luggage.

The checked-in bags were passed through X-ray machines and given the green
light by security staff to pass on to an aircraft.

Last night, a member of staff at Edinburgh Airport, who asked not to be
named, said: ``It proves how easy it would have been for real terrorists
to smuggle a real bomb on to an aircraft.

``The officers went through the same security screening process as any
other passengers. Yet, the bombs were still allowed to slip through the
net. Questions will be asked.''

A Department of Transport spokesman said last night: ``Tests are
undertaken at all UK airports. Action is taken if appropriate.''

The British Airports Authority, who own the Edinburgh terminal, have vowed
to beef up security. A spokesman said: ``The results of these tests are
used to improve and enhance systems.''

Almost seven million people pass through Edinburgh Airport every year.

Scottish Tory transport spokesman David Mundell said: ``These allegations
are extremely serious. Passengers need reassurance from airport
authorities.''

SNP transport spokesman Kenny MacAskill added: ``It is very worrying.

``It is vitally important that people using Scottish airports have the
highest assurance security is as strict as possible.'' l Last year, Record
reporter James Moncur used a fake ID card in the name of a September 11
hijacker to pass through security for two flights one from Glasgow and one
into Prestwick.



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